The women of the world are on the march.
We have had enough of the patriarchal norm.
Under the lash, we bent, but then we arched.
Metamorphosis is needed. We must transform.
We have had enough of the patriarchal norm.
Millions of sisters' spirits are on the rise.
Metamorphosis is needed. We must transform,
to the shining vision bright before our eyes.
Millions of sisters' spirits are on the rise.
We're steering earth's essential evolution
to the shining vision bright before our eyes.
We're dreaming of a women's revolution.
We are steering earth's essential evolution.
Power and greed has Mother Earth in pain.
We're dreaming of a women's revolution,
to live in harmony with all of life again.
Power and greed has Mother Earth in pain.
Under the lash, we bent, but then we arched.
To live in harmony with all of life again,
the women of the world are on the march.
for Sumana's Midweek Motif prompt at Poets United: Change, and shared with the Tuesday Platform at Real Toads
I think the backlash might actually make change come faster... I'm scared what the few men can do... I think history will be told of their desperate struggle.
ReplyDeleteI really like the internal rhymes to this one, Sherry, and the repeated lines. This really makes the poem itself feel like a march.
ReplyDeleteWe bend and then arch, but won't break! When, after so long, we've learned to use the momentum giving by the past to move forward.
ReplyDeleteWomen are fighting for their rights around the world... so much more difficult in the so called third world wihere the problems are bigger and compunded by basic survival issues. But the fight has to go on, one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteEspecially hard in the third world, Rajani. By far.
DeleteInspiring poem. Women are humans too. How sad that they have to fight for their rights. Is something wrong?
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Marian!!! I liked your opening stanza, especially the line, "Under the lash, we bent, but then we arched." It is a terrible situation for all of us but most so for the women and minorities. But the women and minorities (and our help and support) WILL BE HEARD. Mustn't give up. We are the MAJORITY, a mandate!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see mr. trump on the TV and his cabinet, all I can see is older white men in dark suits.
Every day, two so far, bad news, tearing things down. Keystone and DAPL order revocations very sad, wall not much better.
Famous words, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." But really that was political BS because about a week later on the Del Rio bridge his words, "we need to build stronger fence."
..
So I find these forms very, very challenging and you've made it look so simple and soooo effective! Good for you! The message here is so straightforward, it almost could be chanted by the marchers. Thank you for this, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteMaintain the rage. Women unite and fight oppression. We will overcome !
ReplyDeleteAn excellent subject for a pantoum.. the repetition is like a war cry.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!!! Life informs art!
ReplyDeleteWow, Wow, Wow. This pantoum is a song! Who could sing it? Who knows singers?? Maybe it will make you rich and famous--or at least comfortable. My favorite image: "we bent, but then we arched" because I think of electricity, of rainbows, of the strength of the ages.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love your poetic contribution to the movement. It is definitely the "time of the woman."
ReplyDeleteThis deserves to be sung!! Beautifully done Sherry :D
ReplyDeletewe bent, but then we arched.
ReplyDeleteWe have had enough of the patriarchal norm.
Women power had been seen and felt but there seemed some snags in between. it should not be allowed to stay stagnant!
Hank
It is really empowering to see women RISE again. May their power grow. We shall overcome!
ReplyDelete"Power and greed has Mother Earth in pain" so much truth in these lines Sherry. We are on the march indeed.
ReplyDeleteSome of us may only march with words, but words are important. Like your message, that sounds like a march.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
"we bent, but then we arched." this is how spirit rises...so much agony, struggle, power and victory at last have been etched in the line...& of course the promise "to live in harmony with all of life again." is like the torch which the marchers bear...an inspiring poem Sherry...love it...
ReplyDeleteHope so!!! Thanks! K.
ReplyDeleteAmazing use of the pantoum, Sherry. Yes, women are on the march (once again). Beautiful words here, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI like the image of spirits on the rise. I hope and pray that nothing stops each rising spirit from bringing peace and joy to our shattering world.
ReplyDeleteHow I hope this dream is achieved!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant...I want poetry not just to be something or be about something but to do something.it was a stunning show of protest! Right time to take right action..Kudos to the women brigade!
ReplyDeleteLoved the poem, Sherry!